Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Harman announces strategic collaboration with Softbank, Sprint, BrightstarHarman (HAR) announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Softbank (SFTBF), Sprint (S), Trikomsel, and Brightstar (BTST). Under the agreement, partners will exclusively sell the newly designed Harman Kardon Onyx Studio portable Bluetooth wireless speaker to their customers globally.

Sprint introduces Family Share Pack planWith more data than T-Mobile (TMUS), and with significant savings over Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T), Sprint (S) introduces the new Sprint Family Share Pack. Families switching to Sprint get four lines, unlimited talk, text and 10GB of high-speed data while on the Sprint network for $100/month starting July 31. Sprint says its new plan will save families $480/year over Verizon and $720/year over AT&T for virtually the same 10GB of data. Sprint says that 10GB is more than double the high-speed data in T-Mobile’s family plan.

After Jeep hacked, analyst predicts cybersecurity boosts for Harman, DelphiAfter Jeep hacked, analyst predicts cybersecurity boosts for Harman, Delphi The shares of Harman (HAR) and Delphi Automotive (DLPH) are rising after Wells Fargo predicted that the companies would benefit from the increasing need to protect cars from cybersecurity attacks after Wired reported on hackers discovering methods that can be used to take control of vehicles. BACKGROUND: Two computer hacking researchers showed that they could seize control of a Jeep Cherokee, made by Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), using a technique called a zero-day exploit, Wired reported today. Using the same technique, the hackers can control "any of thousands of vehicles," the website reported. In the past, they have demonstrated how they were able to take control of a Ford (F) Escape and Toyota (TM) Prius, according to Wired. The hackers' technique involves taking control of vehicles' entertainment systems and sending commands to the vehicles' dashboard functions, steering, brakes, and transmission through their those systems, the website stated. ANALYST REACTION: In a note to investors today, Wells Fargo analyst David Lim responded to Wired's article by saying that cybersecurity has become a significant concern for automakers. Automotive technology suppliers such as Harman (HAR) and Delphi (DLPH) should benefit from auto makers' efforts to protect their vehicles from cyberattacks, Kwas believes. He reiterated Outperform ratings on Harman and Delphi. PRICE ACTION: In morning trading, Harman climbed about 2% to $108 and Delphi rose fractionally to $78.15. This version of the story replaces an earlier one to correct the lead analyst to David Lim.